THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER “Or Not To Be” (Finale) Review

THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER “Or Not To Be” Season 3 Episode 26 – Well, it took long enough but after a very lengthy hiatus the third season of The Secret Life of the American Teenager finally came to an end, and it did so tragically. Tears were shed, faces were scrunched and Sarah MacLachlan provided music for a montage of misery as we learn that the baby was a stillborn. It was gloom and doom and, er, horniness as Ricky and Amy finally get it on.

This is probably the best episode of The Secret Life of the American Teenager. It built up two distinct arcs (Amy and Ricky’s stupid lack of sex and Ben and Adrian’s pregnancy) and paid both off. For the first, it was about damn time because it got silly about two years ago.

Regarding Ben and Adrian, it was an admirable feat for Brenda Hampton (the creator and writer of most episodes, including this one) to pull off, and even though it went too soapy for my tastes (extended sequences of people sobbing, a soliloquy voicing loss, In The Arms of the Angel-seriously, is there no other sad song?) it was daring enough (for this show at least) not only to explore such morose territory, but in the build up.

Miscarriages, stillbirths etc are often used on television as a way to break off a relationship without going through with an abortion and without having to incorporate a baby into the show. Sure, it’s a device to create conflict, but Adrian and Ben got married, and the only reason they got married was because of the baby (and to appease their parents). Without the baby, how will their relationship continue? Will they break up? Will they stay together? Will they move back in with their parents? The show made a big deal about the lack of a prenup-will Adrian blame Ben and take half his inheritance? Will they try for another baby?

It was an interesting season finale of a terrible terrible show. When Brenda Hampton spoiled the ending to Entertainment Weekly, I thought it was a cheap ploy for viewers. It was, certainly, and this might have been a much better episode (in fact, it definitely would have been) had Hampton kept her mouth shut and let the episode just happen, instead of trying to herd as many viewers round to see the tragedy.

A few random tidbits:

Anyone else notice the number on Adrian’s door was 326? Smoooooth.

Fat? Really Grace? Really? So her boyfriend dated a fat girl? Is that the new form of bestiality?

About The Author

Ciara is a television fanatic and has been since the early days of watching Donald Duck and Recess at ungodly hours on Saturday mornings.
A dual citizen of both the USA and Ireland she is perplexed by the lack of Irish-language television shows on primetime.
She loves all genres and enjoys reviewing both the good and the bad.

TO THE WRITER OF THIS ARTICLE: CIARA
It was NOT a misscariage! It was a stillbirth!

Anonymous

Duly noted and changed. Much appreciated.

A Secret Watcher

Actually The song was originally called “Angels”. Pet Peeve when people call it “Arms of An/The Angels”. Really you should have done your research. ;P

And Gisellesierra is right, it was a stillborn.

Anywho you were right on one point. This was probably the best episode (though it’s kind of hard to NOT accomplish). Still this surpassed any episodes and was better then all of them combined (though it was too teary). I suppose when she actually wants to do something other then overly silly garbage she can.

Keyzie34

i liked the episode a lot but it was really sad because they was so ready to become parents and then this happend

DrMom

They were so ready to become parents? Really?
The previous episodes have shown how totally unrealistic and NOT ready Ben and Adrian are to be parents — hiring a nanny to do all the “hard stuff”, not expecting parenthood to interfere with their lifestyle, etc. etc. They are in La-La Land, as anyone who has ever tried to parent any child can tell you, let alone trying to parent while still in high school.

Guest1

i dont think she/he meant ready like that. I think they meant anticipating/waiting for the baby to come. They wanted it so badly.

Anonymous

That’s exactly how I meant it, sorry if that wasn’t clear. They may not have been prepared for a baby (I don’t think that even the most neurotic, loving strategist could plan a baby, and teenagers like Adrian and Ben less so) but they, as Guest1 said, certainly wanted it. The way the show portrayed their attempts to prepare were quite realistic.

Shanaenae82492

such a moving episode. I knew what was going to happen before I watched it and I still ended up crying. i’ve loved this show from the start. i am forever a Secret Life fan.

Kalvin51008

this show is a guilty pleasure of mine BECAUSE of the silly garbage. It makes me laugh and can be so unrealistic at times that it makes me laugh. Sometimes that also is what got on my nerves about the show, but thats what kept me watching…

That being said, I really don’t know what I think of this episode. It was good, because it showed these actors actually can show some real emotion about a real issue… however it was too sad for my mother of 2 heartstrings to handle….. Ive never experienced a miscarriage or a still birth, but having 2 children, I know the joy of being a mother. This was too much for me…. Now I need to go watch something goofy and silly to wash episode away….

Anonymous

The soapy stuff really makes me laugh too. I wasn’t surprised by how good these actors were in this episode because week after week you see them making the crappy storylines passable. Plus, though this is nothing to judge by yet, if you see the trailer for the new George Clooney movie “The Descendants” you’ll see a whole other side(s) to Shailene Woodley’s acting ability.

http://twitter.com/PatryLoKiss Patry

the number on Adrian’s door was 326? what does that mean?

Kimmie

This was the 26th episode of the 3rd season

infinity

It took me a moment to figure that too, but I *think* it means season 3 episode 26.

http://www.facebook.com/sandra.pfukwa Sandra Pfukwa Bee

i think this was their best episode ever!!! twas soo emotional i shed a tear o few lool alot to be honest !!!!! i loved it loved it !!!! best episode ever

http://www.facebook.com/sandra.pfukwa Sandra Pfukwa Bee

i think this was their best episode ever!!! twas soo emotional i shed a tear o few lool alot to be honest !!!!! i loved it loved it !!!! best episode ever